Don't Retire. Here's Why.

Retirement. AKA when they put cows out to pasture and eventually die. A bit harsh, right? It’s a statement that’s extremely unappealing. “Work hard now so you don’t have to later in life” we’re told. And sure, working hard isn’t the end of the world, but is exhausting your body during your prime really going to pay out that much in your later years?

Let’s talk about the effects on our personal health when we are no longer working. You’re without a team, you’re not going out as often, and you end up spending a lot of your time alone at home. Clinical depression increases by 40% post-retirement and having at least one diagnosed physical illness increases by 60%. They weren’t kidding with the phrase a body in motion stays in motion. You really can have too much time on your hands! Some of us may have experienced these feelings during COVID lockdowns.

Refusing to retire does not equate to working a 9-5 job until you die. It’s not exhausting yourself your entire life or staying as busy as possible. Not retiring is certainly not skipping the cruises and prioritizing a job.

Work should not feel like work, and that’s very true. When you have ventures you’re emotionally invested in, it provides you with continuous fulfillment. You’re rewarded in intrinsic motivation and achievement. You likely have a team surrounding you. You’re staying social by meeting and speaking with others. You’re continuing to work your mind, work your body in some cases, and your gears stay well-oiled and keep turning.

When you decide to not cut yourself short with “retirement” you’re looking at a lifelong journey of achievement, creativity, and social environments. Balancing work/play will create a system that rewards you with longevity. You feel good when you do good. Doing good is partially measured by our ventures. So when you take out a piece of the pie you will feel that void. By keeping this whole, and restructuring, you’re able to enjoy every aspect in your life, in a balanced way, for a longer period of time. Let’s work smarter, not harder. Let’s stay active longer, without deadlines.